Panthers and G Trai Turner have had preliminary extension talks

Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer has reported the Carolina Panthers and promising young guard Trai Turner have begun early discussions on a contract extension.

Turner has been a bright spot along the Panthers offensive line since entering the league in 2014. He has racked up 3,241 offensive snaps during that stretch playing mostly right guard. He did however start three games at right tackle in 2016.

While Turner took a step back in 2016 earning an overall grade of 71.2, ranking 47th out of 72 guards, he had been near dominant during his first two years. Turner earned the fifth highest grade among guards in 2015 at 88.1 overall.

Turner’s 2015 season was the best season for any guard in the NFL currently under the age of 25 years old. This landed him on the PFF All-Under 25 team as an honorable mention.